Thoughts on the window?

[Fulham 1879]

I see this as a two year project taking 3 to 4 transfer windows. As long as we stay up this season I'll be satisfied. Fundamentally, I prefer AA's approach to that of Silva. He jumped ship when we lost our two main goalscorers, left us with some overpriced players who have underwhelmed and adopted rather slow, predictable tactics, which were little more than a creeping barrage, then wing it, then cross it. All rather dull stuff.

[C Block]

Just to add, it's not entirely about what we've done in the window it's also about what our competitors have done also,
Taking it to the extreme Chelsea and Manchester City have strengthened and widened the gap on us, but closer to our level I'd say Sunderland and Brentford have moved away from us with their additions, and Ipswich and Hull have closed the gap, what we do is important but what others do is equally important.

[Neutral Zone Ultra]

I see this as a two year project taking 3 to 4 transfer windows. As long as we stay up this season I'll be satisfied. Fundamentally, I prefer AA's approach to that of Silva. He jumped ship when we lost our two main goalscorers, left us with some overpriced players who have underwhelmed and adopted rather slow, predictable tactics, which were little more than a creeping barrage, then wing it, then cross it. All rather dull stuff.

I'd be very surprised if Arbeloa gets as long as that depending on how results go. If we get relegated he will almost certainly be sacked (if not sooner), if we finish 14th-17th and the feeling is we've gone backwards I can see Khan making the change.

[alfie]

It is inevitable it doesn't matter who or when we bought players in there will always be someone having a moan, we should have got him / he is rubbish or to use a word which some love to use dross.

Sometimes it would be nice for those that continuously give out the negative to just occasionally give a bit of positivity, remember that banner that used to hang on the cottage
                "KEEP THE FAITH"

Positivity police strikes again. The banner said "keep the faith", not "you may not under any circumstances express an opinion which isn't 100% positive".

My word did you read it, I said "occasionally"

There are very few posters on here who solely post negative content, and at least a couple of them are known WUMs. I just find it very frustrating that we're constantly told that this board is negative etc etc when it's so far from the truth. Reactionary maybe (in both positive and negative ways), but I don't think any of the above posts are really overwhelming negative. Cautious optimism seems to be the prevailing narrative.

Well that put me in my place, but don't worry it won't happen again,
Goodbye.

[Jim©]

I find the negativity incredible to be honest (is it ok to say that? I don't want to get censored).
a 5/10, maybe a bit lower
I felt a bit deflated and disappointed at close of play
spectacularly underwhelming
that's pretty poor
The squad looks thoroughly unbalanced

Bar wilson, we held onto everyone that we wanted to. We upgraded in some areas and made common sense decisions on bringing in £18m for two players who would have left for free at the season end.

I'd have liked to see a RW option, Zepa shone against AFC, but Premier league is a massive step up. But we don't seem to play with hug the touchline type wingers, more wide players (like Palacios, Bobb, Iwobi, ESR) that come inside, opening up space for full backs to get forward.

I really like the two RM youngsters I've seen. I get the feeling that Garcia will be a top, top level player. Palacios seemed to get some stick at the weekend, but looked tidy enough to me, he seems to have a good understanding with Gonzalo too. Angel could well be a canny little pick up too- the clips i've seen of him he's a feisty little player. I don't subscribe to the "he's too small to make it" theory. Plenty of proof that isn't true over the years.

Larsson is a good level centre mid who has been highly rated the last few years. I don't know how him, Charles, Berge & Reed fit, but he's a step up on what we had.
Affengruber is another unknown to me, but I see he's been on the radar of some big, big clubs the last few years. He seems to be quick, which is just what we needed. Doesn't look like a big fella, but in his video he had his top off and isn't scrawny as he first appears!

JKA as a third CF cover is a good idea as he continues to learn. I really hope he doesn't go out on loan, I think we need the cover in the squad.

So, it's a 7.5 for me. Perhaps we can focus on a top level keeper next summer.

[Chi_FFC]

I was pleased that (apart from Wilson who'd set his heart on going) the only significant defenestrations were Raul and Diop. Though I regret the latter, there were others rumoured to be leaving as well.

Eh, Diop was the least significant of the departures this summer. 4th on the CB depth chart, played only ~800 PL minutes last season (24 players got PL minutes for us last season, only 5 of those played fewer than Issa). Lukic and Chuk (yes, a loanee) were more significant losses than Diop.

[Londonfranky]

I'm a half and half about this window, if definitely different from Marco's windows he nearly always went for premiumship ready players and if they weren't premiereship ready it seemed like a age before they started, I think we're trying to go down the three B's route get them in young have a few good years out of them, then sell them for a profit, how good they are  I'm not sure hopefully they can hit the ground running,

[Bobsffc]

The fact is that there is hardly anyone on this board, probably nobody, who has seen most or maybe any of the signings play live football...until we see them in action it's just not possible to give a balanced assessment. The question then is...do we trust those in charge of the transfers to have done a good job...and based on past windows, I actually have quite a lot of confidence that we usually - not always - make decent signings at reasonable prices...I think we can all point at some recent signings where it looks as if we have overpaid, but the overall balance is that the club has bought and sold well and strengthened the squad over the last 6 or 7 years.

So, on past evidence, I am reasonably confident. I just hope the new players can be given some time to bed in before they and the club are slated. It's a major rehaul of the squad and the playing style that AA is overseeing....it took Iraola nine games to secure his first win at Bournemouth....I think this board would have spontaneously ignited long before we reached that stage...but it's probably inevitable the next few weeks will be a bumpy ride.

[Fulham 1879]

I see this as a two year project taking 3 to 4 transfer windows. As long as we stay up this season I'll be satisfied. Fundamentally, I prefer AA's approach to that of Silva. He jumped ship when we lost our two main goalscorers, left us with some overpriced players who have underwhelmed and adopted rather slow, predictable tactics, which were little more than a creeping barrage, then wing it, then cross it. All rather dull stuff.

I'd be very surprised if Arbeloa gets as long as that depending on how results go. If we get relegated he will almost certainly be sacked (if not sooner), if we finish 14th-17th and the feeling is we've gone backwards I can see Khan making the change.

If we finish 14th to 17th you may well be right but I wouldn't support it. If you appoint someone with a different approach then it takes time, but managers rarely get granted that.

[WindyCity]

Like the signings, some nice talent and gifted players, but my main concern is probably we have built a rather diminutive in stature club.  Will get muscled off the ball, will lose 1 v 1 challenges, will lose out on headers, methinks.  Defending set pieces and corners may become a real heartache.  AA will need strategies to defend in these situations.

The other concern is that new incomings can adapt rather quickly to the rigors of Premier League football, the speed/quickness and physicality.  I thought Garcia and Palacios both learned a bit of a lesson in the Sunderland game, how quick they were shut down and unable to make that final pass or shot.  This league is not a training ground, with a team willing to sacrifice points while players get the hang of the pace and quality of this league.  Hoping that newer players can adapt quickly, only time will tell I guess.......

[Andrew]

I see this as a two year project taking 3 to 4 transfer windows. As long as we stay up this season I'll be satisfied. Fundamentally, I prefer AA's approach to that of Silva. He jumped ship when we lost our two main goalscorers, left us with some overpriced players who have underwhelmed and adopted rather slow, predictable tactics, which were little more than a creeping barrage, then wing it, then cross it. All rather dull stuff.

I understand you comment re the new manager and the style he has in mind but I was not aware that the owner or his son said anything about a two year project... I thought they were excited that we would improve immediately (meaning in this season). If they would have said two year project maybe this transfer window would have made more sense.

Anyone's opinion of Silva in what he could and couldn't do within the constraints of budget are up for debate. I think he was forced to be pragmatic in the prem because, if you recall,  when he joined we simply flew at the opposition in the Championship getting 106 goals. He played a style that meant we competed but AA is set on playing a particular way whether it suits the squad and opposition we are up against. I am not sure that is going to work.

 I do not agree Silva'jumped ship' when he lost our two main goalscorers... I think from his words and body language he originally wanted to stay and was definitely talking about his plans for this season BUT going home and managing Benfica a genuinely historic club in his own back yard must have been quite a pull AND I think he realised he couldn't face the nonsensical dysfunctional transfer policy which we have just witnessed again. But that is my opinion.

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

Good work by the club IMO.

Garcia will be one for the ages, and they've addressed the central issue with Charles and Larsson. Palacios and Angel are welcome dice rolls in the midfield.

I'm not upset about the CB situation, hopefully that's also solved.

GK is the next big project, assuming the above pan out. The club has a knack for sniffing out good deals in goal, if you ignore the dark ages between Schwarz and maybe Areola on loan?

[Holders]

I was pleased that (apart from Wilson who'd set his heart on going) the only significant defenestrations were Raul and Diop. Though I regret the latter, there were others rumoured to be leaving as well.

Eh, Diop was the least significant of the departures this summer. 4th on the CB depth chart, played only ~800 PL minutes last season (24 players got PL minutes for us last season, only 5 of those played fewer than Issa). Lukic and Chuk (yes, a loanee) were more significant losses than Diop.

I forgot Lukic. Chuk was a loan.

[MickTheBeard]

The team against palace will be the more or less the same as against Sunderland obviously the new boys have got to fit in my only positions which is worry is an extra forward if munis doesn't improve getting money for teti and a quicker fullback who can cross which would help our young winger to perhaps come on later in the odd game,and a goalkeeper who can play as our extra player on the pitch.And the height of the team has to be watched the new boy from Spain and the other Spaniard in midfield defensive duties could be a problem.I mention this because we still haven't sorted out our set plays yet.

[WindyCity]

Can't buy into a so-called two year/3 to 4 windows project.  This is the Premier League and expectations are to stay in this league and be competitive from the get-go.  No guarantee if waiting for this 2 year thingy to transpire that FFC will still be in top flight.  I can't wait that long.  Additionally, I've seen forum members post they would like to wait 10 games or even Christmas time before rating AA's performance.  I'm not that patient.  Right now, I'm looking for points this home game v Palace.  If we go first 3 games pointless, 2 of which were home games, and 2 v teams we should have reasonably expected some sort of result, then, this FFC fan will become very nervous and twitchy indeed.......

[General]

My biggest concerns at the moment is that both Kevin and Bobb are currently playing for themselves instead of playing within the framework of the team.
So many promising attacks break down with them in possession of the ball because they do not pass the ball early enough or pass the way they are facing often enough.
Therefore dispossessed cheaply or giving the ball away when under pressure after dwelling on it too long.

Interestingly I feel the same about King and even Ryan Sessegnon and others.. the amount of times I've seen an obvious pass to a player in a better goalscoring position not taken up (usually Gonzalo for instance) and Garcia is just not played in. I was watching the highlights of the AFC wimbledon game recently again and there's one or two instances, in the short time Garcia was on when a player didn't pass to him when, had they, he would've been clear.

A good example of this is the sequence from 9min 39secs in, as we play it down the wing, Sess goes into space and there's a period where Garcia's asking for it and either Sess has his head down or isn't thinking about the team and misses either passing directly to Garcia, or slipping him in.

Happy to find more, if helps illustrate the point more..

What I've noticed is that better players have their head up more, trusting their technique more, and also a lot more is made of the space on the pitch. Often as a club Fulham players have more than less played the ball to the player, either in the air or to their feet. When with Garcia and Palacios, I've noticed they're trained to play the ball in to the space, allowing their teammates to run into the space, not lose momentum etc.

They're also very good and one touch pass and go between each other. there's a fluidity to it, which is clearly taught.

Another example of how this could've worked, is at 1.38, instead of Muniz holding the ball up, he could've laid it off to Sess. Perhaps he was being defended too well, or isn't left-footed enough, but his head was down and focused more on holding the ball up, when in an ideal world, he'd be as equally aware of giving and going. You can see ESR is used to the give and go tempo, similarly to Garcia and Palacios and I often see him making runs that few people spot. I wonder if that affects his movement and running, because he's just thinking about the game differently.

Zepa at 7mins 03 secs, could've passed it to Sess for a first time shot

[Angus Telford]

The question then is...do we trust those in charge of the transfers to have done a good job...and based on past windows, I actually have quite a lot of confidence that we usually - not always - make decent signings at reasonable prices...I think we can all point at some recent signings where it looks as if we have overpaid, but the overall balance is that the club has bought and sold well and strengthened the squad over the last 6 or 7 years.

I don't disagree but our most expensive (by far) signings in the last two years have been ESR, Berge, Andersen, Bobb and Kevin. Feels like most on here would name at best 1-2 of those in their preferred XI, and the players we've just signed seem intended to replace 2-3 of them as well. So I feel like most fans, and perhaps even AA, don't seem to share your/our confidence in the club's recent track record. But I guess maybe AA will surprise us all and find a way to play them together or in regular rotation (which should be the aim IMO).

[Andrew]

Can't buy into a so-called two year/3 to 4 windows project.  This is the Premier League and expectations are to stay in this league and be competitive from the get-go.  No guarantee if waiting for this 2 year thingy to transpire that FFC will still be in top flight.  I can't wait that long.  Additionally, I've seen forum members post they would like to wait 10 games or even Christmas time before rating AA's performance.  I'm not that patient.  Right now, I'm looking for points this home game v Palace.  If we go first 3 games pointless, 2 of which were home games, and 2 v teams we should have reasonably expected some sort of result, then, this FFC fan will become very nervous and twitchy indeed.......

Actually I tend to agree with you regarding how long it takes to make your mind up. But I do think 10 ish is not unreasonable to give any new man a chance to show whether he is pragmatic and willing to bend or whether he sticks to his ideas of how to play come what may.

Personally I think way to little attention has been paid to his awful post match remarks about the players and how dreadful they were in terms of him building a team spirit.  Apparently it was all down to them, there lack of ambition and effort and not at all his lack of tactical awareness and bizarre substitutions. The pundits on MOTD were totally taken aback by them and even though I am not always a fan of the programme, they are not always wrong.

I am happy to wait and see what happens (what else can i do anyway) but my overwhelming instinct is it is more likely to end in tears with this manager... but hey, that is just my opinion and I genuinely hope I am wrong.

[Rambler]

I find the negativity incredible to be honest (is it ok to say that? I don't want to get censored).
a 5/10, maybe a bit lower
I felt a bit deflated and disappointed at close of play
spectacularly underwhelming
that's pretty poor
The squad looks thoroughly unbalanced

Bar wilson, we held onto everyone that we wanted to. We upgraded in some areas and made common sense decisions on bringing in £18m for two players who would have left for free at the season end.

I'd have liked to see a RW option, Zepa shone against AFC, but Premier league is a massive step up. But we don't seem to play with hug the touchline type wingers, more wide players (like Palacios, Bobb, Iwobi, ESR) that come inside, opening up space for full backs to get forward.

I really like the two RM youngsters I've seen. I get the feeling that Garcia will be a top, top level player. Palacios seemed to get some stick at the weekend, but looked tidy enough to me, he seems to have a good understanding with Gonzalo too. Angel could well be a canny little pick up too- the clips i've seen of him he's a feisty little player. I don't subscribe to the "he's too small to make it" theory. Plenty of proof that isn't true over the years.

Larsson is a good level centre mid who has been highly rated the last few years. I don't know how him, Charles, Berge & Reed fit, but he's a step up on what we had.
Affengruber is another unknown to me, but I see he's been on the radar of some big, big clubs the last few years. He seems to be quick, which is just what we needed. Doesn't look like a big fella, but in his video he had his top off and isn't scrawny as he first appears!

JKA as a third CF cover is a good idea as he continues to learn. I really hope he doesn't go out on loan, I think we need the cover in the squad.

So, it's a 7.5 for me. Perhaps we can focus on a top level keeper next summer.

I agree. Overall a good window and an improvement on what we had. I remain optimistic that the Real Madrid youngsters will come good, and are given time. Their fees especially are minimal for the current era. Ok the 50% sell ons are prohibitive but if this allows us to stay within PSR so be it.

We need a new keeper but otherwise a good window

[Bronaldinho]

In isolation, I think the incomings are good.

The outgoings are a big loss to have all at once, and manage a new tactical change, personnel and more. Quite a lot at once.

I do think if the players came in earlier in the window, I'd feel more confident about it. But, it's a lot to ask on the new faces to replace the G/A put up by the departures, with very little experience.

I do think if AA can get the best out of them, they'll kick on and we can have a good season.

But it's a lot of moving parts at once.

Longer format of my thoughts can be viewed here on The Craven Corner if you were interested in longer format.